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Parliament Diary

PRS Parliament Diary: Budget Session – Day 1: Jan 29, 2018

Marking the beginning of the Budget Session, President Ram Nath Kovind addressed both Houses of Parliament today. In his address, the President outlined the major policy priorities of the government across different sectors.

1.Re-capitalisation of public sector banks has been decided by infusing more than Rs 2 lakh crore of capital to them.

2.The government sanctioned a scheme of more than Rs 18,000 crore for the modernisation of police forces.

3.The National Testing Agency has been approved to act as an autonomous and self-sufficient organisation to conduct all examinations of higher educational institutes.

4.Aim to set up 20 Institutes of Eminence. Under this Mission, selected public sector institutions will be provided financial assistance of Rs 10,000 crore

5.A new National Health Policy has been formulated for providing better and affordable healthcare facilities.

6.The government is continuously working for reforms in labour laws. Minimum wages have been increased by more than 40%. In addition, the number of registers for compliance of labour laws has been reduced from 56 to five.

7.Under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, a target to provide road connectivity to every village by 2019 has been set. More than 82% villages have been connected by roads, as compared to 56% villages in 2014.

8.To prevent damage to agricultural produce and to ensure its safe storage, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana has been launched.